Nestled deep inside the rural belt of Kozhikode, the Pavayil village on the banks of picturesque Akalappuzha has been hosting an eco-friendly tourism festival for the past few days.
The event, named 'Pavayil Fest,' is a village tourism fest that's organised yearly by the local people of the region.
The key aim of the event is to uphold the message of river protection, says Rajath OM, convener of the event, which is on till April 30.
He says, "We have been holding many novel activities like 'Kanyavana Yathra,' 'Kaanana Yathra,' 'Akkarakazhcha' and the like. The events aim at introducing the visitors to pristine stretches of lands near the water body here, to create awareness on environment without polluting it." Flower shows, food festivals and more are also part of the event.
Akalappuzha, a scenic setting
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the banks of Akalappuzha provide a scenic setting for holidaymakers to help enjoy the pleasures of a river-side stroll. With the old pathways, canals, and even the ubiquitous rural tea shops, the destination also offers a peep into Kerala’s rural past – the culture of a generation that walked into oblivion ahead of us.
Although the name Akalappuzha brings to mind the scene of a river, the water body is indeed a backwater stretch that courses down to Karnataka via Parassinikkadavu after originating from a point between Payyoli Cheerp and Kanyangode. Visitors can reach the spot by travelling just four kilometers through the Payyoli road from Perambra along the Kozhikode-Vadakara route.
The trip to Akalappuzha presents a wonderful opportunity for those who love to witness and experience rural life. The destination offers a host of other activities, including forest walk, swing village, flower fest, etc, which offers unlimited entertainment to the guests.
The event has also been featuring a national dance festival that had the participation of around 250 dancers from across the country.
The events on the last two days
The main event on April 29 is the Jalolsavam that starts at 2 pm. There are also dramas, residents kalolsavam, Anganavady ulsavam, music shows and more on the day. On April 30, 'The Gujarati Street' music band will perform at the fest, alongside the ongoing dance festival, water sports events, cultural shows and more:
How to reach:
From Kozhikode, take Kannur Rd and Koothuparamba – Chovva Bypass Rd to reach the destination in around 15 kms
